Turning Your House Into A Home

This sounds obvious, but many people forget to arrange and lay out their rooms according to what they want most out of each one. So if you are the type to always invite people over, then you'll want to get a couch that can accommodate many people, make the space accessible to guests, and set up the room in a way that promotes conversation. If your means permit, a bar on the side of the living room is always a great addition.

On the other hand, if you're the type to look forward to plopping down on your sofa the minute you get home, listen to music, watch TV, and eat your dinner while watching the sports highlights of the night, make sure to get a coffee table in front of the sofa so that you can eat, and keep your stereo and television in the living room.

If you enjoy reading before you go to bed, then make sure to have a nightstand in your bedroom for your books and a lamp, rather than a wall unit with a television.

what colors do you want?

Color schemes for rooms vary, and can range from black and white and completely colorless, to warm, earthy tones for the walls, carpeting and furniture.

Feng shui is a Chinese philosophy surrounding the practice of positioning objects, such as buildings and furniture, based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the flow of chi that have positive and negative effects. If furniture is placed a certain way, for example, it can restore balance and harmony to its occupants.

What does this have to do with colors? The colors you prefer for your place can be based on your taste and the concept you're going for, but if you want some inspiration for your color scheme, take a look at the meaning of colors according to feng shui.

White or natural beige: Usually used to enhance a natural background and to offset another color.

Black: Can serve to humidify a space and refresh the inhabitant. Should be used to balance other energies. As expected, too much black can make the occupants feel dismal and depressed.

Red: Vital and energetic. Invites and promotes happiness, power, authority, and fame. Since it triggers sexuality, it is found in bedrooms. But too much red is not good either, as it could cause tension between occupants.

Orange: Like red, it promotes happiness and life. Orange can also represent fickleness and therefore should not be used for the bedroom, while terra cotta (brownish orange) stimulates appetite and is therefore perfect for kitchens.

Indigo: Representing the sea, indigo is inviting. But too much of it may take away one's energy.

Violet: Should be balanced with white in order not to be overwhelming.

Yellow: Connotes cheerfulness, and promotes tranquility and clear thinking to occupants. It represents the sun's energy and keeps the occupant grounded, but shouldn't be too strong either.

Green: Promotes freshness, health and prosperity, and can be used as a "healer."

Blue: Connotes harmony and peace. While it's soothing and promotes tranquility and relaxation, it should be balanced with earth colors.

As you can see, when not used in moderation, a color can become overwhelming and have negative effects.

Finally, there are many decorating accessories you can purchase to make your place your own. They include art, collectibles, books, lamps, glassware, carpeting, rugs, and many more.

Use these to tailor your place to your way of life and whom you are, and it will feel like a part of you. With the use of decorating concepts, colors, furniture, and decorative items, there will be no mistaking that your house will be a home — your home. And whom you want to invite inside is up to you.